Turkish human rights activists and global media have raised the alarm on raids on the offices and homes of human rights organisations and activists across Türkiye over the weekend.
The BBC has reported 47 LGBTIQA+ and HIV activists have been detained in police raids on organisations, individuals and queer venues including LGBTQIA+ news portal and support group Kaos GL, advocacy organisation Lambda Istanbul and queer film festival Pink Life.
The Ankara chief prosecutor’s office released a statement claiming 21 people from Kaos GL had been detained, while Kaos GL claims that 50 people were taken.
The police raids come after increasing crackdowns on LGBTIQA+ rights in the country, known as the “My Family Is Safe” operation. This includes the trial of 11 activists for publishing “obscene” images that ‘violate family values’ earlier this year, and the arrest of more than 50 people ahead of Istanbul Pride in 2025.
The operation also saw courts block LGBTIQA+ websites and social media across Türkiye ahead of the raids.
Taking to social media, European human rights organisation ILGA Europe condemened the “vague morality and obscenity charges”.
“This is not law enforcement. This is the systematic dismantling of LGBTI civil society. LGBTI organising is not a crime. Human rights work is not a crime,” the group said.
“ILGA Europe and Trans Europe and Central Asia call on the EU and European governments to urgently raise these cases with the authorities in Turkey; monitor the detention and judicial proceedings; and activate available protection, legal and emergency support for those affected.
“European public funders must stand by their civil society partners, maintain funding and reject attempts to criminalise legitimate international support for human rights work.”
Türkiye also recently banned gay cruise featuring Broadway legend Patti LuPone from docking in their ports, with local authorities citing “moral standards” as the reason for the rejection.
Turkish authorities said the ship would not be permitted to visit because it has become “known for behaviours incompatible with the fabric of our society and our moral values”.
Homosexuality is not illegal in Türkiye, however in recent years the government has banned Pride marches and local LGBTIQA+ communities have faced growing discrimination, while efforts for greater legal protections have stalled.
